JPS6241043B2 - - Google Patents

Abstract

A diesel oil - water separator has an inlet (20), an outlet (24), and a series of spaces (89, 96, 139, 175) through which the oil-water mixture passes. These spaces are defined by various walls (36, 91, 112, 116, 170) and holes (38, 93, 180, 208, 210) provide for draining of water separated off at the various surfaces. Ball float valves (50, 182) prevent downward flow of oil when water is drained off. The separator includes surface-tension water separating surfaces (150, 216) and a filter body (212).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fuel-water separators, and particularly to separators for use in diesel engines to separate water from diesel fuel.

Diesel fuel contains a fairly substantial amount of water;
It is known to cause damage to the engine's fuel and injection systems if not removed. Many fuel-water separators and filters have been proposed.

The present invention constitutes an improvement over prior art separators. The separator of the present invention does not include a disposable filter like many previous separators. The separator of the present invention allows the filtration of dust, rust, debris, etc. to take place at several other points within the device, and the separator separates water from fuel in a safe and reliable manner. designed to perform a function. This separator operates without servicing other than draining excess water, provides an indication when water is to be drained, and operates without priming with fuel after water has been drained. do. Because the separator of the present invention is enclosed within a metal container and is tightly sealed by crimping or other means, should it malfunction or require replacement,
It becomes an inexpensive, disposable unit. Because the internal components of the separator are made from molded plastic sections, the unit is lightweight, durable, and inexpensive.

Water has different chemical properties than fuel. Water, by definition, is hydrophilic, whereas fuels are hydrophobic. For this reason, water and oil are generally difficult to mix. Water also has a greater density than fuel and therefore a higher specific gravity than fuel. Furthermore, water has different surface tension properties than fuel.

The separator of the present invention utilizes a combination of separation and precipitation techniques arranged in a unique mold to provide effective water separation. Fuel is first introduced into the separator through the inlet hole and directed around the circular passage at a relatively high velocity to impart centrifugation to the fuel. This centrifugal force separates the dense water from the less dense fuel. The radially outer wall of the passageway is provided with an opening through which the separated water passes to the bottom of the container for drainage downwards.

The fuel moves through successive spaces through which the fuel moves upwardly and then downwardly. Due to its high density, water tends to move downward and stay there, while lighter density fuel tends to move upward in space.

In one of the spaces, a medium is provided with a surface directed downwards, on which water condenses and moves downwards, and through which fuel moves to proceed to the next space. . This medium is
For example, an untreated fiberglass sleeve may be used. In the other space, a medium with surface tension-discriminating surfaces is provided, through which the fuel moves and down which the separated water moves. The surface tension-discriminator can be made from polyester textile material, for example.

In the illustrated embodiment, the space is formed by an outer container, an outer cup, and an inner cup. The container has a drainage opening at its bottom and a peg is provided to close the drainage opening and control the removal of separated water from the container. As a safety feature, a float valve ball having a density greater than that of fuel and less than that of water is placed within the drain opening. When water is present, the valve ball
Float on the Seat within the drainage opening to allow water to flow through it. When the water is drained, the valve ball drops downward and rests in the drain opening to stop the fluid flow so that fuel does not drain even if the pot remains open.

In a somewhat similar fashion, the external cup is also provided with a drainage opening. Such a drain opening floats upwardly in the water to allow drainage from the external cup, and by means of a valve placed within the opening to prevent discharge of fuel from the external cup after the water has been drained. Closed. This valve ball is preferably arranged to float upwardly to close the drainage opening in the inner cup when there is excess water at the bottom of the container. This valve ball also acts to retain fuel in the final stage of the separator, eliminating the need to pre-fuel the system or refill the separator as required by current filter systems. There is sufficient fuel to start the engine.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of various embodiments thereof, which must be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a vertical circular housing 10 having a lower can or can portion 12 and a housing 10 which is enclosed within a bevel joint to provide a seal between the cover 14 and the can 12. The fuel tank of the present invention comprises an upper lid or lid portion 14 joined together by a bevel as shown at 16 by a gasket 18.
Water separator is shown. Fuel enters the separator 10 through a tube 20 that is hard soldered to an inlet hole 22 in the lid 14. Fuel exits through a tube 24 that is hard soldered into a central outlet hole 26 in the lid 14.

A central opening 34 is formed in the bottom of the can portion 12 of the housing 10 to provide a drainage hole for accumulated water at the bottom of the can 12. Petsutokotsuku 2
8 is threaded, as shown at 30, into a threaded tube that is hard soldered into the central opening. By opening and closing the PETSUTOKOKUKU 28, it is possible to
The drainage from 2 can be controlled.

A plurality of holes or openings 38 within the housing 10
and a circular plate 36 having an outer periphery 40 . The diameter of plate 36 is smaller than the diameter of can 12 so as to provide a circumferential space 43 between outer periphery 40 of plate 36 and can 12 to direct water to the bottom of can 12.

The plate 36 has a sleeve 4 extending downwardly.
An opening 42 concentric with 4 is provided. The lower edge 46 of the sleeve 44 rests on a retainer 48 for the ball 50. This ball 50 can move up and down within the holder 48 in a space formed by vertically extending legs 51 spaced apart at the periphery. The legs 51 define a plurality of drainage opening spaces 52 therebetween. Ball 50 box 12
A sheet 54 formed in the bottom center opening 34 of
placed on top.

Drain pipe 56 extends downwardly through opening 42 in sleeve 44. The lower end 58 of tube 56 includes an upper stop for ball 50. Lower end 58 includes a plurality of reliefs or notches 60 that provide drainage relief.

A semicircular fuel passage or running path 80 is provided on the plate 3.
6, which can have an inverted U-shape in cross-section, as best shown at 82 in FIG. This passage 80 is
It is designed to apply centrifugal force to the fuel/water mixture passing through it. Fuel enters passageway 80 as shown by tube 20 to 84 and arrow 8
6 through passage 80 in a clockwise direction (FIG. 2). An opening 88 is provided in the last third of the radially outer peripheral wall of the passageway 80. The centrifugal force involved in the flow of the fuel/water fluid mixture through the passageway 80 forces the dense water toward the outer wall such that the water is separated from the fuel forced through the opening 88 and between the rim 40 and the canister 12.
The outer peripheral edge 4 of the plate 36 passes through the space 43 between
0 and drains downward. Once the water is separated from the fuel, it tends to drain and not mix with the fuel. The fuel/water mixture continues to move through passage 80 and is discharged through end 92.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, plate 36 and passageway 80 are located in a centrifugal portion 89 of separator 10 that is separated by top lid 90. Referring to FIGS. Centrifugal portion 89 is also partially formed by a circular flange portion 118 of tube 56 providing support for the connection between tube 56 and sleeve 44 of plate 36. The lid 90 is generally circular in shape and includes a gradually downwardly sloping top wall 91 extending radially outwardly slightly beyond the outer peripheral edge 40 of the plate 36 and a downwardly extending peripheral skirt. 92. The skirt 92 extends sufficiently downwardly so that its ends are at least flush with the bottom surface of the plate 36, and the skirt deflects the separated water below the bottom of the can 12 under the action of centrifugal force. It's helpful to you.

The top wall 91 of the lid 90 includes a central opening 93 for receiving the drain pipe 56. Furthermore, the upper wall 91
includes a plurality of smaller apertures 94 formed around and near a large central aperture 93 .
Opening 94 provides an outlet for the fuel/water mixture after it passes through passageway 80 . The fluid mixture passes through the opening 94 and the lid 9
0 into the first space 96 above. The separated water, still mixed in the fluid mixture after centrifugal action, falls by gravity into the bottom of the can 12 along the downwardly sloping top lid 91 of the lid 90 and through the skirt 92. .

The first space 96 into which the fluid moves after exiting the centrifugal section 89 is illustratively located at the top wall 91 of the lid 90.
and a conical flange portion 110 of the tube 56, also formed by the bottom 112 and sides 114 of the outer cup 116. Space 96 is also defined by the inner surface of can 12, as shown in FIG. The conical flange 110 is the cup 1
It provides a seat or support for 16 fairly shallow conical bottoms 112.

A mounting and support plate 130 is provided at the upper end of the assembly 10, just below the lid 14.
The circular plate 130 has a central opening 132 through which the outlet tube 24 is inserted.
is extending. A plurality of attachment apertures 134 are circumferentially spaced around the radially outer periphery of plate 130 and are located in outer cup 116 .
Snap finger provided on top
finger) is cup 1 as shown at 138.
16 and plate 130 into these openings 134 to provide a snap connection between plate 130 and plate 130. This is just one of several ways in which cup 116 may be connected to plate 130.

The plate 130 and the cup 116 are the cup 11
6 and into which the fluid mixture flows through a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 140 around the upper edge of cup 116.

A surface tension separator 150, described in more detail below, is pressed against a downwardly extending central shoulder 152 on plate 130, which defines an aperture 132, which Extending therethrough is an outlet tube 24. This separator 150 has an outer cylindrical wall 15
4, a lower end 156, and an upper end 158 having a socket portion 160 containing shoulder 152.

An inner cup 170 is provided over the surface tension separator 150. The illustrated inner cup 170 is concentrically connected to plate 130 by snap fingers 172 that engage apertures 174 circumferentially spaced around plate 130. This internal cup is the third space 175
is formed. The third space 175 also has a plurality of openings 176 spaced circumferentially around its upper edge for movement of the fluid mixture into the inner cup 170 and toward the bottom of the can 12. It has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 210 around its bottom 178 for movement. A shallow conical bottom 178 of the cup 170 has a drain pipe 5.
a concentric opening 180 forming an upper seat for a ball 182 contained within a ball retainer formed by a plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers 184 extending upwardly from a flange portion 110 of 6; is provided. Drain pipe 56
is formed to provide a lower seat 186 for the ball 182 with a seat 186 overlying and concentric with the upper seat 180. Ball 182 is thus able to move between upper sheet 180 and lower sheet 186 within the vertical space formed by fingers 184.

A support cage 200 having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending openings 202 is mounted concentrically around the inner cup 170. This cage 20
0 is illustratively connected to plate 130 by being engaged in a circumferentially extending groove 203. The bottom edge of cage 200 is supported within a circular, channel-like retainer 204, which is further supported by a plurality of studs 206 extending upwardly from bottom 112 of outer cup 116. The retainer ring 204 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 208 in the bottom web portion of the channel. ring 20
The radially inner circumferential edge of 4 engages the outer circumferential surface of the inner cup 170 just below the opening 210 in the cup 170. A sleeve 212 made of untreated fiberglass media is placed over the cage 200 and within the channel 2 within the retainer ring 204.
14. Other surface tension separators 216 are provided around the outer periphery of sleeve 212, which will be described in more detail below.

In the illustrated embodiment, surface tension separator 15
0.216 separates fine water particles having a diameter of about 130 to 140 microns from the fluid mixture. These particles refer to water particles that are too small to be separated by centrifugal or gravitational forces. The separator media may be monofilament polyester fibers interwoven into a fabric having a pore size of about 130 to 140 microns, or about 100 microns per inch in both the horizontal and vertical directions. or 10,000 fibers per square inch (approximately 6.3 square centimeters), or monofilament Teflon with similar pore size. Each of these separator media separates water particles of indicated diameter and allows fuel to pass through in response to widely varying surface tensions between the two fluids. The separated water flows down the outer surface of the separator medium.

Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, sleeve 212
is a mat made of untreated fiberglass of any length, which is called class 5A fiberglass in the market.

Preferably, all elements of the separator contained within can 12 are constructed of collapsible or frangible materials so that an impact that deforms can 12 will not cause internal elements of the separator to penetrate can 12. do not have. This feature prevents leakage of the can 12 if it is deformed by an impact. All connections to and from the housing 10 are located at the top or bottom of the trough 1.
There is a seal on the side of 2 that breaks when there is an impact.
There is no. Furthermore, the hem 16 is a roll seam that deforms slightly without leaking. These features are intended to prevent dangerous fuel leaks if housing 10 is deformed.

Diesel fuel, often containing some water, enters inlet pipe 20 and travels downward to point 84 where the fuel/water mixture enters passageway 80. Movement of the fuel/water mixture through passageway 80 imparts a centrifugal force to the mixture. Since water has a higher density than diesel fuel, some of the water will pass through the passage 80.
It begins to separate by moving to the outer wall of and exits through opening 88. Separated water is in space 43
through and fall to the bottom of can 12. The fuel passes through a fairly narrow area of passage 80;
Therein, the fuel moves at a relatively high velocity into the centrifugal section 89 below the lid 90 such that its velocity decreases rapidly. This reduction in velocity causes the water mixed in the fluid mixture to move downwardly relative to plate 36 and exits through openings 38 in plate 36. As the heavier water moves downwardly through the opening 38, it displaces the lighter weight oil and transfers the oil to the top wall 9 of the lid 90.
1 through the opening 94 in the can 12 and into a relatively large first space 96 in the upper portion of the can 12 . After passing through the opening 94, the separated water, still mixed in the mixture, can flow along the outer surface of the top wall 91 of the lid 90 and fall by gravity to the bottom of the can 12.

The first space 96 provides a residence time for the fuel-water mixture at this stage of the separation, so that the water separated from the mixture by centrifugal force will be removed from the space 43.
Water can be drained downward through. The residence time itself provides additional separation due to the difference in specific gravity between water and oil.

Within space 96, ie outside outer cup 116, oil tends to move upwards and water tends to move downwards. The only communication between the space 96 outside the outer container 116 and the inside of the cup 116 is through an opening 140 at the upper peripheral edge of the cup 116. The water-laden oil in the cup 116 moves through the opening 140 into the second space 139 between the outer cup 116 and the fiberglass media sleeve 212 so that the outer container 116
is intended to be at the top periphery of the Finally, the granulated or emulsified water particles pass through a surface tension separator 216 where they condense and form larger particles of water along the glass fibers throughout the fiberglass sleeve 212. Larger water particles tend to flow downward and through the glass fibers of sleeve 212. Surface tension separator 216 prevents the fiberglass fibers of sleeve 212 from being overloaded by larger water particles that do not need to condense. It is well known that mixtures of fuel oil and water interact in this manner with finely divided water condensing and descending onto the glass fibers of fiberglass.
The fuel oil itself permeates through the fiberglass and travels radially inwardly through passages 202 within cage 200. Additionally, the separated water particles pass through opening 210 and drain through opening 180 in inner cup 170.

Water that separates or condenses away from the fiberglass fibers of the sleeve 212 is routed through the openings 205.
, and displaces ball 182 upwardly to move downwardly through drain pipe 56 . This ball 182 is selected to have a density less than the density of water and greater than the density of diesel fuel. When the water level within the housing 12 reaches the point where the ball 182 is supported by water, the ball 182 rises relative to the top sheet 180 and prevents any backflow upward into the inner cup 170.

Referring to the drainage function through the tank 28 and noting the function of the ball 50, the ball 50 also has a density greater than that of diesel fuel and less than that of water. When the lower portion of the housing 10 contains water, the ball floats upwardly and drains water through the pouch 28. Even if the pot 28 remains open, as water drains from the housing 10, the ball 50 will drain as it is heavier than the oil.
It moves downward so as to close the opening 34. Therefore, this ball 50 can be used only when the peg 28 is mistakenly left open for too long.
A safety check valve is configured to prevent oil from being discharged from 2.

As the water passes past the ball 182 and drains from the outer cup 116 through the drain pipe 56, the ball 182 moves the lower seat 182 so as to close the drain pipe 56 to prevent oil from draining from the cup 116.
6 on top. This feature eliminates the need to refill cup 116 with fuel before the engine can be started. The engine runs on internal cup 1 until the fuel pump begins pumping fuel through the separator.
It can be operated on the fuel contained within 70 liters.

The fuel/water mixture moving through the fiberglass sleeve 212 moves against the outer surface of the inner cup 170. Once again, the condensed water particles tend to migrate downwardly to be discharged through the openings 208 in the retainer ring 204. At high flow rates, some of the water's condensed particles may be entrained by the fuel through the sleeve 212. The fuel moves upwardly through the space 176 around the upper edge of the inner cup 170 and the condensed water moves downwardly into the inner cup 170 through the opening 210. The fuel entering inner cup 170 through space 176 must not have any residual heavy particulate water. However, if there are fine water particles in the fuel, these particles will be separated at the surface of the external surface of the surface tension separator 150 and will flow downward through the central opening 180 in the bottom of the cup 170. Move to.

As mentioned above, separator 150 includes a polyester fiber exterior cylindrical wall with lower and upper end walls 156, 158.
It can be manufactured by molding into. It is well known that polyester fibers separate fuel and water due to the widely varying surface tension between the two fluids. The oil moves through the fibers into the separator,
The water particles then move downward on the outside of the fiber.
Anhydrous fuel leaves separator 150 and exits assembly 10 upwardly through outlet pipe 24.

Referring to FIG. 4, metal outer cup 116a connects bottom 112a to stud 20 of FIG.
It will be appreciated that the shoulder 206a is shown as having a shoulder 206a which serves the same function as 6. plate 130
a is provided with a mounting plate for the same purpose as plate 130 of FIG. The outer cup 116a illustrated in FIG. 4 is metal, so it can be heated with a heating element 220. The illustrated heating element 220 is an annular ceramic ring, which can be hard soldered or soldered to the bottom of the cup 116a. This type of heating element 220, commonly referred to as a PTC element, is well known and generally includes an annular ceramic heating element, which is metallized on its surface so that it is not heated. It can be soldered or hard soldered to the desired parts. An electrical service line is shown at 224.

Accordingly, the embodiment of FIG.
a heating element 220 built into the basic water separator to heat the fuel and further prevent the water from freezing and to prevent the paraffin in the fuel from gelling the fuel. Equipped with: It will be appreciated that automatic thermostatic means may be included to provide current to heater 220 when necessary to obtain the desired fuel and water conditions.

Referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen that another pocket 28a is shown. In the structure of FIG. 5, the ball holder 48a has vertically extending legs 51 for holding the balls 50.
It is equipped with Retainer 48a is molded to provide seat 54. Retainer 48a is also molded to include a downwardly extending threaded sleeve 230. The retainer 48a is a compression nut 23 holding a gasket 234 as shown.
2 to the bottom of the housing. The pouch 28a includes a handle 236 threaded onto the sleeve 230. The handle 236 is fitted with an O-ring 2 to seal against a seat 242 formed within the sleeve 230.
40 has a stem 238 extending upwardly through an opening in sleeve 230. In the illustrated embodiment, stem 238 includes an upwardly projecting tip 244 that separates ball 50 from seat 54 when the pot is closed. The protruding tip 244 is caused by the weight of the fuel/water mixture when the separator is filled with fresh fuel.
0 from being engaged with the seat 54. Without tip 244, the weight of fresh fuel would prevent the desired ball flotation action and thereby prevent separator drainage. When it is desired to eject container 12, handle 236 is used to lower O-ring 240 away from seat 242.
is rotated so that fluid can drain downwardly through the pouch 28a as shown by arrows 246 and 248.

One embodiment of the invention may include a water sensor probe 260, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6. If a water sensor probe is desired, the top lid 14
The can be provided with an opening 262 (FIG. 6) for receiving a threaded sleeve 264. The probe 266 itself may be any commercially available water level probe compatible with a capacitive or resistive electrical circuit to sense water at the bottom of the housing 12. As illustrated, probe 266 may include, for example, two
It can be threaded downwardly into sleeve 264 to extend downwardly to a level indicated at 68 . The fluid level probe can, of course, be hooked into a light indicator on the vehicle's dashboard, or into a solenoid valve drive as illustrated in FIG.

In FIG. 7, a socket designated 28b is shown threaded into sleeve 32. A solenoid operated valve member 280 is connected to the seat 28 for draining the can 12.
4 to pull the plunger 282. Valve member 280 is electrically connected to a power supply (not shown) by wire 286. Vehicle driver or fluid or fluid level probe 266
A switch (not shown) actuatable by either of the valve members 280 can be connected in series with the valve member 280 for controlling the operation of the pot.
It will be appreciated that the valve member 280 can be controlled either pneumatically or hydraulically without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, a sleeve 212 made of untreated fiberglass media can be used in place of or in conjunction with surface tension separator 150 and positioned within inner cup 170. In this embodiment, the sleeve 21 within the outer cup 116 remains only with the surface tension separator 216 retained by the channel-shaped retainer 204.
2 and wall 200 have been removed. In operation,
Fine water particles are removed by separator media 216 within outer cup 116. The separated water flows down the exterior surface of separator media 216, as indicated by the dashed arrows in FIG. Separator 2
Any finely divided or emulsified water passing through 16 will congeal and pass through inner cup 170.
Larger particles form along the glass fibers throughout the fiberglass sleeve 212 within. Larger water particles tend to flow downward and through the glass fibers of sleeve 212;
Water is then drained through an opening 180 in the inner cup 170.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a full cross-sectional view of a separator incorporating features of the present invention taken generally along the axis of the container.
FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away cross-sectional view of the separator shown in FIG. 1 taken generally along section line 2--2 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the separator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 taken generally along section line 3--3 of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the separator of FIGS. 1-3 containing an electrical heating element. Figure 5 shows numbers 1 to 3 containing plastic drain tanks for containers.
2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the device shown; FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the separator of FIGS. 1-3 including a water level probe. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the separator of FIGS. 1-3 including another drain valve for the vessel. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram, partially cut in cross section and broken away, of another embodiment of the separator of the invention. 10...Separator, 12...Can, 22...Inlet hole, 14...Lid, 28...Pettsukotsuk, 36...
... Plate, 44 ... Sleeve, 50 ... Ball, 80 ... Passage, 90 ... Lid, 93 ... Central opening, 110 ... Conical flange, 130 ... Support plate, 139 ... Space, 150 ... surface tension separator, 200...cage, 204...retainer,
220... Heater.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A fuel/water separator for separating water from a fuel/water mixture, comprising an inlet hole for the fuel/water mixture, an outlet hole for the fuel, and an outlet hole for the water separated from the fuel. a container having a drainage hole for discharging the fuel-water mixture, the drainage hole being located at the lower end of the container, the container being disposed between the inlet hole, the outlet hole and the drain hole, and the fuel-water mixture entering the container at the inlet hole; an inner member defining a plurality of spaces in which fuel is constrained and flows sequentially to the outlet hole, wherein higher density water separates from lower density fuel and flows downwardly within at least one of the spaces. separating means for separating water from fuel located in the space, the inner member defining the space having a lower portion providing a plurality of downwardly opening drainage openings located upstream of the drainage hole; and the water separated from the mixture can flow downward through the drainage openings while the lower density fuel moves upward, and the water separated from the mixture rises up to one of the drainage openings. a first valve for closing the one drain opening and a second valve for closing the drain hole and stopping fuel flow through the drain hole, the second valve being configured to a safety valve which is small and has a greater density than the fuel and which moves upwardly to drain the water separated from the fuel and downwardly to close the drain hole when the separated water is drained from the container; A separator characterized in that it includes a ball. 2. The first valve includes a float valve ball having a density smaller than that of water and greater than that of fuel, and the float valve ball closes one drainage opening to permit back flow of the separated water through the one drainage opening. moving upwardly through the separated water to stop the drain opening and moving downwardly through the fuel to close the other drain opening and stop fuel flow through the other drain opening. Separator as described in section. 3. The claimed invention includes means for defining a circular path through which the fuel-water mixture passes after passing through the inlet hole, the means for defining the circular path comprising a radially outer wall against which the water is forced by centrifugal force. A separator according to range 1. 4. A lid capping said circular path to define a centrifugal force section, said lid including at least one aperture through which fuel enters one of said spaces after leaving said circular path. Moving third claim
Separator as described in section. 5. A separator as claimed in claim 1, including sensor means for sensing the level of water in the container and providing an indication of said level. 6. A separator according to claim 1, wherein the drain hole includes a pouch that is operable when activated to drain separated water from the container. 7. The device according to claim 6, comprising actuating means for automatically actuating the water bottle when a predetermined water level is reached in the container, and connecting means for connecting the actuating means to the sensor means. separator. 8. A separator according to claim 1, comprising heating means for heating the fuel within the container. 9. The separation means includes an annular medium concentrically arranged within one of the spaces and extending downwardly to provide a downwardly extending outer surface against which water can condense and move downwardly. and the fuel moves radially inwardly through the outer surface.
Separator as described in section. 10 The separation means further includes a surface tension separator disposed around an outer surface of the annular medium in one of the spaces, the fuel passing through the surface tension separator in a radial direction relative to the medium. 10. The separator of claim 9, wherein the water moves inwardly and collects at the bottom of the one space as it moves along the surface tension separator. 11 The separation means further includes a surface tension separator disposed in the space adjacent the outlet hole, the fuel passing through the surface tension separator to the outlet hole and the water moving along the surface tension separator. 11. The separator of claim 10, wherein the separator moves along the space and collects at the bottom of the space. 12. A container according to claim 1, comprising a plate concentrically arranged in the lower part of the container, the plate having at least one drainage opening through which the separated water moves downwardly. separator. 13. Claims 13-13 comprising a part-circular passage around a portion of said plate for receiving a fuel-water mixture from an inlet hole, said part-circular passage having a radially outer wall against which water is forced centrifugally. Separator according to clause 12. 14. A separator as claimed in claim 13, including lid means for capping said plate and said partially circular passage to form, together with said plate and said partly circular passage, a centrifugal force section. 15. The separator of claim 14, wherein the partially circular passage has a relatively narrow cross section and an outlet end to produce high velocity flow. 16. The container is a sealed container except for an inlet hole, an outlet hole and an opening in the bottom for drainage; the container is a metal can with substantially cylindrical side walls and a top and a bottom; and an outlet hole are provided in the top part, so that the side wall can collapse inwardly in the event of breakage without damaging the openings of the container at the inlet and outlet. separator. 17 the outlet hole is formed by a tube extending concentrically axially downward through the top and into one of the spaces within the container, the tube having an open lower end; a second surface tension separator surrounding the lower end of the surface tension separator, the surface tension separator providing a downwardly extending surface over which water moves downwardly and through which fuel moves. , a separator according to claim 16. 18 The first valve for closing a drainage opening allows water to flow downwardly through the drainage opening and closes the opening when the collected water rises to the opening. 2. A separator as claimed in claim 1, comprising a float which floats upward for closing. 19 The vessel defines a water collection area and a fuel separation area above the water collection area, and the drainage opening is configured to
The first valve located at the bottom of the water separation area and for closing the one drain opening includes a float valve and typically holds the float valve adjacent to the drain opening so that the separated water is trapped below. The float valve includes retaining means for allowing drainage into the collection area, the float valve having a density less than the water and therefore moving upwardly when the water is collected to close the drainage opening and remove the separated water. 2. The separator of claim 1, wherein the separator is configured to stop backflow of water from the water collection zone to the fuel separation zone. 20 centrifugal passage means disposed downstream of said inlet hole in the vessel and operable to increase the velocity of the fuel-water mixture passing therethrough; water mixed with the fuel-water mixture entering from said centrifugal passage means; at least one velocity reducing space means forming a flow path area substantially larger than the centrifugal passage means such that the centrifugal passage means can sink; and means for separating the fuel and water downstream of the velocity reducing space means; 20. A separator according to claim 1, 18 or 19, comprising a fuel/water separation space. 21. The separator of claim 20, wherein said centrifugal passage means includes means defining a plurality of openings for the escape of water intermittently spaced along its length. 22. Introducing a fluid mixture near the bottom of the container and moving the fluid mixture at high speed through a circular passageway in the container to centrifugally force the dense fluid against the radial outer wall of the circular passageway. the liquid in the container after leaving the passageway to cause the separated particles of the dense fluid to move downward to the bottom of the container while the fluid mixture moves upward in the container. a series of upward and downward steps in successive chambers to slow the movement of the fluid mixture and cause the dense fluid to move further toward the bottom of the vessel while the fluid mixture continues to move upward; directing the movement of the fluid mixture through a guided passageway, discharging the separated dense fluid particles from the respective chambers to the bottom of the vessel, and discharging the separated dense fluid particles from the respective chambers to the bottom of the vessel; A method for separating a dense fluid from a fluid mixture, comprising the steps of dispensing the mixture near the top of the container and discharging the separated particles near the bottom of the container.